Columbus: Economy & Jobs
Columbus reports a median household income of $66,082 (1.1× below Franklin County median $75,176; 1.1× below Ohio median $71,389), with homes at a median value of $252,900. The surrounding county supports 98,182 jobs (avg $72,243).
- $136,118 avg taxable income per return — higher than the median household income (vs Ohio $78,408).
Income & Affordability
Median household income $66,082 — near the Ohio median ($66,082). Poverty rate 18.1% (U.S. average ~12.5%). 38% of renters spend more than half their income on rent ("severely cost-burdened" by HUD definition; U.S. ~24%).
| Affordability · Home Price To Income | 3.8× |
|---|---|
| Affordability · Home Affordability | moderate |
| Affordability · Rent Pct Income | 22.2% |
| Affordability · Rent Affordability | affordable |
| Affordability · Pct Severely Rent Burdened | 37.9% |
| Affordability · Poverty Rate | 18.1% |
| Affordability · Property Tax Pct Income | 5.1% |
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $110,170 |
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $14,996,112 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $136,118 (vs Ohio $78,408) |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Income Estimate | $74,441 |
| Median Household Income | $66,082 (at Ohio median) |
| Poverty Rate | 18.1% |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Economic Character
Qualitative classification derived from Census occupation, industry, and income data — workforce composition (white-collar/blue-collar), top employing sector, and income tier.
| Economic Character · Workforce | mixed |
|---|---|
| Economic Character · Top Industry | Education Healthcare |
| Economic Character · Income Level | middle-class |
| Economic Character · Median Income | $66,082 |
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 3.6% — below the U.S. average of ~4%. 18% work from home (U.S. average ~15%).
| Commuter Profile · Mean Commute Min | 21.50 |
|---|---|
| Commuter Profile · Work From Home Pct | 18.3% |
| Commuter Profile · Profile | short commute |
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 98,182 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $7,093,019,391 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $72,243 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| State Occupation Wages · Year | 2023 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code | 00-0000 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Title | All Occupations |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment | 5,469,160 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% (vs Ohio 3.4%) |
Sources: BLS QCEW 2023 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Agriculture · Total Farms | 250 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture · Land In Farms Acres | 3,204 |
| Agriculture · Avg Farm Size Acres | 12.80 |
| Agriculture · Top Commodities | Crop Totals, Grain, Soybeans, Corn, Horticulture Totals |
| Agriculture · Year | 2022 |
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 5,267 |
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 92,828 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 5,892,233 |
| Business Patterns · Year | 2022 |
Sources: USDA NASS Census 2022 — county FIPS matched · Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Grocery Stores | 20 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · Convenience Stores | 14 |
| Local Businesses · Liquor Stores | 9 |
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 41 |
| Local Businesses · Department Stores | 4 |
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 12 |
| Local Businesses · Clothing Stores | 40 |
| Local Businesses · Pet Stores | 11 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 173 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 212 |
| Dining Scene · Bars | 18 |
| Dining Scene · Coffee Snacks | 59 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
Banking
FDIC-insured bank branches with addresses. Branch density correlates with population — fewer branches per resident in lower-density areas.
Branches (20)
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
Sample (5)
| Nearest Snap · Name | Sunoco West Broad Inc |
|---|---|
| Nearest Snap · Total In Area | 711 |
Chamber of Commerce
IRS-registered chamber of commerce organizations matched to this town. Reflects the IRS Exempt Organizations BMF; some chambers operate informally and may not appear here.
| Chamber Of Commerce · Name | CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EXECUTIVES OF OHIO |
|---|
Sources: IRS EO BMF · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $1,109,558,302 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 5,181.85 (vs Ohio $6,792) |
| Federal Spending · Population | 214,124 people (vs Ohio 29,269) |
Sources: USAspending API
Other
| Job Training · Total count | 39 |
|---|---|
| Pct Drove Alone | 67.7% |
| Pct Public Transit | 2.5% |
| Pct Walked | 18.3% |
| Retirement Score · Median age | 33.2 years (vs Ohio 38.1y) |
| Retirement Score · Ss Household Pct | 19.5% |
| Retirement Score · Hospitals Nearby | 1 |
| Retirement Score · Va Access | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Factors | hospital access, VA nearby |
| Retirement Score · Rating | fair |
Sources: IRS BMF keyword search · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12